By Jarrod Horak
The $100,000 Pasadena Stakes is for three-year-olds traveling one mile on the turf course. It goes as the seventh race at Santa Anita Park on Sunday, Feb. 22 and the scheduled post time is 6:37 PM ET.
Pasadena Stakes Field
Pasadena Stakes Analysis
With a lot of forward speed likely in this field, Unrivaled Time will need that fast pace to set up his closing kick. He’s shown a strong late burst in previous races, especially with that 23.3-second final fraction in his last effort, and with his solid ratings at this distance and surface, I think he has the ability to close sharply if the race plays out as expected. However, if the pace is slower than anticipated or the other front-runners aren’t as aggressive, he might not get that ideal set-up. But I do trust that his connections will have him prepared for this kind of scenario. That’s where track dynamics and the pace setup are key—it’s not just about the horse, it’s about how the race unfolds.
Greenwich Village is an intriguing horse with a lot of potential in the Pasadena Stakes. His turf form and closing ability make him a strong contender, and with Bob Baffert’s guidance, I think he’ll be able to handle the added distance. The main question is how well he will handle the added challenge of going a mile, but with his running style versatility and ability to finish strong, I see him as one of the top choices in this race.
Brigante and Later Than Planned could play pivotal roles, especially with their involvement in the pace. Brigante is a pace factor and could help ensure the early tempo remains strong. He could either set or press the pace, and depending on how fast he pushes the opening fractions, it could either make things easier or harder for those closing from behind, like Unrivaled Time. If Brigante can maintain a solid pace but doesn’t fade too early, it might allow for that ideal stretch duel where Unrivaled Time shines.
Later Than Planned is interesting because of how he surprised us last time by being more forwardly placed. His connections might adjust the tactics, knowing he can adapt, but he’s still an intriguing wild card. If he’s patiently handled, I think he can benefit from a strong pace up front and a bit of a breather early on, and he could come with a big run down the lane.
When I look at Sammy Davis, the pedigree influences and turf potential definitely interest me, but I’m also mindful of the fact that trainer John Sadler and jockey Hector Berrios have had solid success together, especially in stakes races. That’s another factor that’s not always captured in raw data but can be crucial when picking horses in competitive races like this.
Pasadena Stakes Video